Feed my sheep

John 21:15-25 / Keywords 21:15

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

 

Jesus Reinstates Peter

21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

1. Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” He followed it up with, “Feed my sheep”. Jesus was not trying to have Peter prove his love for him. Jesus wants us to know that the way of loving him is not just through being with him, but through practicing the way of love that Jesus demonstrated. The more we love like Jesus did, the more we can experience Jesus’ presence and grow in deeper communion with God.

 

2. As a shepherd cares for a sheep, we have a duty to love and care for the lost and weary. We can do this not with a sense of superiority, but as one who was lost and found by Jesus; one who was extended mercy and given a love that wells up inside our souls and overflows to others around us. This love cries with those who are lost and rejoices with those who find new life. This love washes one another’s feet. This love finds meaning not through personal achievement, but through serving the least of those among us. Jesus came to love us that we may love one another. What a beautiful life that extends beyond the shadow of death!

 

Prayer Lord, you gave your life for me while I was still lost in my sin. May I believe in you and practice the love you displayed so beautifully.

One Word Feed my sheep